Tasty Steps Toward Heart-Healthy Eating By Family Features August 24, 2023 Share As the leading cause of death among Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease often results from uncontrolled high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, overweight and obesity. However, a heart-healthy eating plan can help lower or control these risk factors and put you and your family on a path toward better heart health. With back-to-school season adding stress to already busy schedules, it's important for families to make time for healthy eating decisions. Consider these five steps recommended by The Heart Truth program of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI): Eat Smart One way to get started on a path toward heart-healthy eating is to change your way of thinking about how and what you eat. For example, use smaller plates to help limit portion sizes. Chew food slowly and consider the textures and flavors of different food as you eat. Plan to Eat Heart Healthy Put together an eating plan that offers a balance of calories and nutrients including vegetables, fruits, whole grains and low-fat or fat-free dairy. Consider make-at-home favorites like Heart-Healthy Pita Pizzas, which include grilled chicken as a better-for-you alternative to methods such as frying. Choose Healthy Snacks After a full day of learning or working, it's tempting for children and adults to grab a quick snack that may not be healthy. Swap out sugary or salty snacks and instead enjoy lower-calorie after-school treats that fit into your daily eating plan. Try options like a cup of seedless grapes, small banana, cup of cherry tomatoes, handful of unsalted nuts or half cup of low-fat or fat-free yogurt. Find Heart-Healthy Menus How you eat day after day can make a difference in your heart health over time. Developed through research by NHLBI, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, nuts, low-fat dairy and healthy oils to help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range. DASH focuses on lowering sodium and limiting foods that are high in saturated fat, including fatty meats, full-fat dairy and tropical oils. Stay On Track When Dining Out It is possible to eat healthy foods in restaurants. To control portion sizes, try tactics like eating half your entree and taking leftovers home for another meal. Choose foods that are broiled, baked or roasted to limit calories. Ask for low-sodium menu options and request butter, gravy, sauces and salad dressings on the side or leave them off completely. Visit www.hearttruth.gov to find more healthy eating inspiration and find DASH-friendly back-to-school recipes at: https://healthyeating.nhlbi.nih.gov/ Heart-Healthy Pita Pizzas Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 8 minutes Servings: 4 • 4 whole-wheat pitas (6 1/2 inches each) • 1 cup chunky tomato sauce • 1 cup grilled boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced (about 2 small breasts) • 1 cup broccoli, rinsed, chopped and cooked • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese • 1 tablespoon fresh basil, rinsed, dried and chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried) Preheat oven or toaster oven to 450 F. On each pita, spread 1/4 cup tomato sauce and top with 1/4 cup chicken, 1/4 cup broccoli, 1/2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese and 1/4 tablespoon chopped basil. Place pitas on nonstick baking sheet and bake 5-8 minutes until pitas are golden brown and chicken is heated through. < Previous News Next News >

Beware of Scams as Tax-Filing Deadline Approaches March 31, 2022 Share Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning Floridians about scams ahead of the 2022 Tax-Filing Deadline. The Deadline to file 2021 Taxes is Monday, April 18th, 2022. According to the Internal Revenue Service, millions of Americans wait until the last two weeks before the Deadline to prepare their Tax Returns. Last-minute filers are at a heightened risk of scammers fraudulently filing for a return in their name. Other less-common tax schemes also seek to exploit Federal Filing Requirements. To avoid unnecessary hardships, Attorney General Moody is providing tips to help taxpayers spot and avoid tax scams. Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “The Federal Tax-Filing Deadline is just a month away and millions of Americans have not prepared their taxes. While there is still time, filing early reduces the likelihood that a scammer will steal your Tax Return. For more information about how to avoid common Tax-Filing Scams, check out the tips in our latest Consumer Alert.” Here are some of the most common types of Tax Scams: • Tax-Related Identity Theft is when a target’s personal information is stolen so that a scammer can file a Tax Return claiming a Fraudulent Refund. • The Tax Gift Card scam occurs when scammers forge Fraudulent Tax Bills to give to targets, convincing the target to pay the fee with gift cards. • Examples of Refund-Recalculation Scams are when scammers send phishing emails to targets, making the email look like a Tax-Refund Payment or a Recalculation of a Tax Refund—attaching a link to input personal information to claim the Refund. • During June and July of 2021, the IRS received a record number of reports about Stimulus-Payment Scams. Scammers impersonate the IRS and tell targets that the target is eligible for a Stimulus Payment—claiming personal information is needed for the payment to be sent. • Scammers may pretend to be an independent organization within the IRS called Taxpayer Advocate Services and spoof caller ID’s to make targets believe a legitimate call from TAS is being received. Once the call is received or returned, scammers will phish for personal information. Tax Scams can be complex as scammers regularly adapt and update schemes. Below are tips about how to avoid Tax Schemes: • When seeking a new Tax Preparer, look for one who is available year-round; • Ask a potential Tax Preparer to show an IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number—all Legitimate Preparers will be able to provide one; • Make sure that Refunds will be sent to the Taxpayer and not a Tax Preparer; • Know that a letter from the IRS about an Unfiled Tax Return is a Scam; • Recognize that any notices from the IRS about On-line accounts being created, accessed or disabled when no action was taken are often Scams; and • Pay attention to any Received Wages or other Income from an unknown employer as it could be a sign of Identity Theft. If anyone receives a suspicious call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, report the call to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration by filing a complaint On-line at: TIGTA.gov Or By Calling: 1 (800) 366-4484. To view other recent Consumer Alerts, Visit our Web-Page At: http://myfloridalegal.com/ConsumerAlert < Previous News Next News >

Back-To-School Savings: Your Comprehensive Guide To Florida's Sales Tax Holidays Thu Jan 11 2024 17:09:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Code Enforcement Update: Unkept Properties Impact The City As A Whole Wed Dec 20 2023 05:03:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Supercar Saturdays Debuts At Gulfstream Park Village: The Supercharged Event Rolls Into South Florida’s Favorite Entertainment Destination Mon Feb 06 2023 17:11:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Back To Beethoven - Piano Duo Chipak & Kushnir Come To Aventura Aventura Digest November 15, 2024 Share Dranoff 2 Piano was founded by Loretta Dranoff decades ago as The Murray Dranoff Foundation in honor of her late husband. The organization quickly became synonymous with the renaissance of two pianos, music and a world-renowned competition. The promotion and expansion of a two-piano repertoire continued with the commissioning of works from accomplished composers who have won the Pulitzer Prize, Emmy, Grammy and Academy Awards, including John Corigliano, William Bolcom, Michel Legrand, Gabriela Lena Frank, and Chucho Valdés. After presenting concerts on some of the world’s most esteemed stages from New York to Amsterdam, Dranoff 2 Piano Fusion redirected itself toward a local, multi-cultural approach to engage audiences through innovative performances countywide that feature piano duos in every musical style and frequently joined by musicians from Europe, South America, Africa and the Caribbean. Its annual core programming includes Classical Classics, Latin 2 Piano and West African Beats. Since 2004, the organization has partnered with Miami Dade County Public Schools to develop and implement PIANO SLAM, a transformational performance program for youth that uses music to enhance core subject learning, such as English, math and science, in roughly two dozen Title 1 schools. Through this program, Dranoff has also brought live classical music performances to more than 80,000 middle and high school students. Well over 100,000 students have participated in PIANO SLAM programs overall. Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in a two-piano arrangement by Franz Liszt performed by internationally celebrated Ukrainian classical stars Olha Chipak and Oleksiy Kushnir with percussion accompaniment will be performed at The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center Sunday, November 24th at 4:00 p.m. Tickets for Back To Beethoven are on sale now. Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Buy tickets online at: www.aventuracenter.org - By phone at: (877) 311-7469. Or: (954) 462-0222. Or in person at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office Wednesday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. Noon to 5:00 p.m. and 90 minutes prior to each performance. For Group Sales, please call: (954) 660-6307. This event does offer a VIP experience with preferred seating and select drink vouchers for those over 21 years of age. The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at 3385 Northeast 188th Street, Aventura, Florida 33180. Join the conversation, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram @aventuracenter or #aventuracenter. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts manages the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, a 14,864-Square-Foot, 330-seat Waterfront Complex that hosts performing arts, cultural and educational programming for all ages. < Previous News Next News >

Keeping Progress In the Forefront: City of Hallandale Beach Introduces An Impressive $320 Million Capital Improvement Plan November 2, 2023 Share The City of Hallandale Beach, Florida, is pleased to announce the rollout of its 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan, with projects totaling more than $320 Million worth of improvements to the City’s Infrastructure, Parks and Recreation Spaces, Public Safety, and Sustainable Development Initiatives, through 2028. The Large-Scale Improvement Plan, which was approved on September 26, 2023, during a City Commission Meeting, marks the City’s commitment to being a leader in Sustainability, Resiliency Initiatives, and keeping progress at the forefront. “The longevity of our city’s aging Infrastructure is a top priority,” said City Manager, Dr. Jeremy Earle. “By enacting this five-year plan now, we are preparing our city for growth and new development, as well as reducing the impact climate change has on our systems, without compromising the high standards our residents and business owners are accustomed to in Hallandale Beach.” The plan identifies eight project categories, including Facilities, Mobility, Public Safety, Parks and Recreation, Sustainability, Stormwater, Wastewater, and Water projects. Shovel-Ready Projects advancing the city are valued at a minimum of $20,000, have an expected lifespan of at least five years, and may result in the creation of a capital asset. Capital assets include facilities, Infrastructure, equipment, and networks that enable the delivery of City services for multiple years. Aiming to create a greener, more efficient city and enhance residents’ overall quality of life, City beautification efforts that include numerous miles of Bike Paths, Sidewalk Improvements, and thousands of new trees are also planned. In addition, EV Fleet Maintenance, Lift Station Rehabilitation, Water Treatment Plant Improvements, Railroad Crossing Safety, Roadway Improvements, and Traffic Calming Projects are all outlined in the 5-Year Plan. Funding for the City Improvement Projects is expected to come from a variety of sources, including Federal and State Grants, State Revolving Loans, Reserves, and Utility Revenue Bonds. The City has Earmarked $54,897,045 for projects that will commence in Fiscal Year 2024. Hallandale Beach currently has over 40 Improvement Projects in the works to Repair and Replace Aging Infrastructure, including upgrades to several Lift Stations and Water Mains. The 5-Year Plan allows the City to expand its commitment to updating its Infrastructure. The City’s Stormwater System already received a major overhaul, with the addition of a new Pumping Station, Pipe Cleaning and Repair, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Stormwater Projects, and Curb Inlet and Catch Basin Replacement. The completion of these projects helped the City improve Accessibility and Reduce Flooding during Severe Weather Events. To learn more about how the City of Hallandale Beach is keeping progress at the forefront, please visit: https://bit.ly/ProgressAtTheForefront About the City of Hallandale Beach The City of Hallandale Beach is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of the community in a fiscally responsible manner by providing superior services that meet the needs of our residents and businesses, as well as planning for their future needs through continued communication. For more information, please visit: https://www.cohb.org < Previous News Next News >

One Man's Transformative Journey Losing 100-Plus Pounds Wed Oct 18 2023 16:07:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Broadway, Ballet & Brothers: An Entertaining Lineup At The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center February 14, 2025 Share The City of Aventura is ushering in March with dazzling performances featuring world-class ballet, Broadway legends, Motown hits, comedy and more. This month-long celebration of talent and artistry promises unforgettable experiences for every audience. The month kicks off with Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida presenting Dancing Prokofiev and Ravel, on Saturday, March 1st at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 2nd at 3:00 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. With a captivating mixed bill celebrating the works of Sergei Prokofiev and Maurice Ravel that features the entire company as it highlights the technical brilliance and artistic versatility of the dancers. The program opens with excerpts from Artistic Director Vladimir Issaev’s internationally acclaimed three-act ballet The Tale of the Stone Flower, a beautiful narrative of love and perseverance set to Prokofiev’s enchanting music in which the stone carver Danila seeks to reveal the stone’s true beauty to the world through the power of love. The audiences will be treated to a revival of Issaev’s Classic Symphony, a vibrant and dynamic ballet that has become a fan favorite. The program includes Bolero, choreographed by distinguished guest Miao Zong to Ravel’s mesmerizing score, along with Aldemaro Romero’s Quinta Anauco, which blends classical and contemporary elements in a spellbinding performance. Arts Ballet Theatre maintains a very strict late seating policy and latecomers will not be seated until intermission. The 2025 Broadway Concert Series presented by the City of Aventura celebrates the 20th Anniversary of the original Broadway Musical Hairspray, reuniting original cast members Marissa Jaret Winokur (Tracy), Kerry Butler (Penny) and Laura Bell Bundy (Amber) for the first time in Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now on Thursday, March 6th at 8:00 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. With 16 Broadway shows and more than 200 episodes of television between them, this trio has truly done it all as Winokur starred in Dancing with the Stars, Butler received a Tony® nomination for Xanadu and Bundy’s performance in Legally Blonde also received a Tony® nomination. These powerhouse performers take the audience on a hilarious and meaningful musical journey singing hits from their shows as they share stories from their origins as teenage performers, strong friendships, acclaimed careers and their children. A post-show meet and greet experience may be added to any ticket. The City of Aventura presents The Motortown All-Stars: The Ultimate Motown Experience featuring members and former members of The Temptations, The Contours and The Miracles on Friday, March 7th at 8:00 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Jam packed with impeccable harmonies, dazzling choreography and those timeless Motown grooves, this concert delivers all the greatest hits from The Temptations, The Miracles, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and more with that unmistakable Motown feel. The City of Aventura presents the exciting performance of The Flying Karamazov Brothers, as they celebrate 50 years of juggling and cheap theatrics, on Sunday, March 9th at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center Variety noted, "nobody leaves the theater without a big grin," as the four self-proclaimed eccentric lunatics spice things up with laugh out loud comedy, wild theatrics, arcane errata and astonishing juggling feats. Originally formed at UC Santa Cruz in 1973, The Flying Karamazov Brothers troupe over the years has been seen around the world, on Broadway, TV and in movies. They are not Russian, they are not brothers, and they don't fly, but according to The New York Times, they are "as close to a sure thing that can be found onstage, 100 minutes of cleverness and comedy that go by in a flash." Tickets to all shows are on sale now. Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Buy tickets online at: www.aventuracenter.org - By phone at: (877) 311-7469. Or: (954) 462-0222. Or in person at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office Wednesday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. Noon to 5:00 p.m. and 90 minutes prior to each performance. For Group Sales, please call: (954) 660-6307. The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at 3385 Northeast 188th Street, Aventura, Florida 33180. Join the conversation, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram @aventuracenter or #aventuracenter. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts manages the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, a 14,864-Square-Foot, 330-Seat Waterfront Complex that hosts performing arts, cultural and educational programming for all ages. < Previous News Next News >

United In One Cause: National Kidney Foundation Leads Fight Against Chronic Kidney Disease Thu Apr 14 2022 04:02:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

IGNITE Broward 2025 Brings Immersive Light & Art to Hollywood’s ArtsPark February 6, 2025 Share South Florida’s premier festival of immersive light and sound-based art, IGNITE Broward, returns for its fourth year from February 14–23, adding the City of Hollywood as a location for the first time at ArtsPark. With more than 30 dazzling installations across three Broward County locations, this year’s festival will run for an extended 10 days, offering more opportunities to experience cutting-edge light, sound, and technology-driven art. As part of Hollywood’s Centennial Celebration, IGNITE will introduce a stunning immersive art circuit that reflects the City’s vibrant cultural spirit. Visitors can experience five captivating installations by internationally renowned artists including Daniel Popper, sedemminut, This is Loop, Javier Riera, and local artists LIZN'BOW. It will be one of the most ambitious lineups yet. Popper’s large-scale sculpture will transform ArtsPark into a surreal, interactive environment, while Riera’s striking light-based interventions alter landscapes to reveal hidden dimensions. The Hollywood experience begins with the IGNITE Kickoff Celebration on Friday, February 14, at 5:30 p.m., featuring a special performance by LIZN’BOW at 6:30 p.m., adding a unique musical and visual element to the night’s festivities. IGNITE Broward is presented by the Broward Cultural Division and produced by Mad Arts, with support from the City of Hollywood, Visit Lauderdale, and the City of Dania Beach. The festival is free and open to the public, continuing its mission of making innovative, immersive art accessible to all. Visitors can explore additional installations at various locations in Downtown Fort Lauderdale and Mad Arts in Dania Beach, with a free shuttle provided by the City of Dania Beach connecting all festival locations from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily. For more details and a full schedule of events, visit: www.ignitebroward.com . For additional information and events for Hollywood’s Centennial Celebration, visit: www.hollywoodfl.org . QLess Update Exciting improvements are coming to the QLess system to make services more accessible and convenient. Starting February 10th, QLess consultation hours will be extended to Monday through Thursday, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Additionally, in-person services with select Plan Examiners will now be available. Walk-in visitors can conveniently schedule consultations using the new kiosk, with staff on hand to provide assistance as needed. Consultations may still be booked online through the QLess system as usual. For in-person consultations, simply visit during the designated hours to be accommodated as soon as possible. Visit: www.hollywoodfl.org/building < Previous News Next News >

1st Priority Restoration: Water Damage / Mold & Mildew Experts July 8, 2021 Share A Restoration Company such as 1st Priority Restoration is usually the first company to call following significant damage to a home from floods, water damage, sewage backup and other major water events. The job of a restoration company is to clean up the mess and to preserve and protect the home and its contents so that further damage will not occur. If your home has been damaged by water from a leaking pipe, intruding water from all the current rains or mold damage from moisture over time. How are you going to address these problems in your home? A Restoration Company such as 1st Priority Restoration is usually the first company to call following significant damage to a home from floods, water damage, sewage backup and other major water events. The job of a restoration company is to clean up the mess and to preserve the home, protect the home and its contents so that further damage will not occur. Flood damage can be found in any geographical area, regardless of elevation. The causes of flooding can range from natural disasters, burst pipes, leaking pipes, rain storms or sewer lines that are backing up. Even in a condo, you could have a water leak in your wall, under a toilet or behind a kitchen cabinet creating mold that can cause damage to your property and your health. 1st Priority Restoration can find the source of the leak, fix it, restore your property and work directly with your insurance. Regardless of the cause, restoration professionals are called upon to repair water damage, mold damage and restore flooded properties. The water damage restoration process is highly regulated in order to ensure that properties damaged by flood or sewer events, can be effectively restored to a safe space for a homeowner to remain safe during the cleanup. You need a company such as 1st Priority Restoration who you can trust to do the job correctly. The process is simple, when 1st Priority Restoration arrives, they will thoroughly walk through your home and discuss the areas that need to be cleaned & restored to their original condition. Your insurance company adjuster or claim representative may recommend what and how your home should be cleaned, but in the end, it is your decision to make. In the past year, we have all heard the word “Mitigation” more times than we can count, but with water damage, that is exactly what needs to be done. Water damage restoration does not stop at restoring your real estate back to proper functioning. The professionals at 1st Priority will inspect the underlying causes that have caused the water damage in the first place and make sure there won’t be a reoccurrence. They will repair all of the damaged structures and replace the materials to make your property safe, for years to come. If your property has been exposed to water damage, you may have to do water mitigation. Strict actions are required in water mitigation, such as: removal of damaged materials such as drywall and flooring. Molds and mildew that have accumulated in areas in your property will be disinfected and deodorized to restore a healthy environment. Further cleaning and deodorizing should be done to make sure that your real estate is back in tip-top shape. Water damage mitigation should happen immediately after flooding or water buildup. Take action immediately, because letting your property sit in water can cause further damages and expenses. Materials soaking in water collect microbes and spread water-borne diseases. Furniture, wood flooring and walls will crack, sag and collect fungi after prolonged exposure to moisture. If your property is particularly old, it may be time to replace materials such as pipes to prevent a reoccurrence of water damage. If pipes are behind walls, it may require more extensive repairs. The water mitigation process will depend on how long your property has been exposed to water. Air humidifiers and drying equipment must be turned on around the clock in areas with severe water damage. Mold spores are especially dangerous to health and thorough cleaning and disinfecting should be done as part of the water damage mitigation. It is advisable to get the temperature, humidity and moisture of your property tested to see if it has been restored to normal standards, 1st Priority professionals can handle the entire process. After 1st Priority Restor-ation evaluates the work and equipment needed to clean your home, they will provide you with an estimate or contract/services. NEVER FOOL AROUND WITH MOLD & MILDEW: When it comes to mold and mildew, we cannot take those potential hazards lightly. A mold problem can cause you to experience dizziness, anxiety, depression and even hallucinations. If you have been experiencing a diminished attention span or problems with your memory, it might be a good idea to have your home inspected for black mold by a mold remediation crew. For people sensitive to mold, inhaling or touching mold spores can cause allergic reactions, including sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and skin rashes. People with serious mold allergies may have more severe reactions, including shortness of breath. At 1st Priority Restora-tion, this is what they do 365 days a year, nobody knows how to prevent potential dangers like they do. By dialing: 1 (800) 617-1112 – you can save financially and your health as well! LEAK DETECTION: One tiny water leak can create huge problems in a home or business. An undetected water pipe leak will not only dramatically increase your utility bills, but it can also lead to even more expensive water damage and mold. If you’ve had higher than average water bills, constantly have to refill your pool or hear running water, it’s time to call the leak detection specialists at 1st Priority Restoration! Is water pipe leak detection possible if the pipes are behind a wall? Yes, using the newest state-of-the-art detection tools, highly trained technicians are able to locate water pipe leaks that are hidden behind walls. They can even provide water plumbing leak detection within concrete slab foundations. Will insurance cover the cost of plumbing leak detection services? That all depends on your home's insurance plan. In many situations, when there is a need for water damage restoration, many insurance companies will cover the related costs. 1st Priority Restoration representatives can work directly with your home insurance company to verify the need for the plumbing leak detection service, cause of the problem and the repairs that will be required to remedy the situation. MOLD AND YOUR HOME: Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the outside air can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, bags and pets, which can be carried indoors. Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, pipes or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric and upholstery. With all of the rain and storms we have been having these past months, you can see a pattern of mold growth that will last. From leaks, flooding and driving rain, mold growth is a certainty in South Florida. If you are concerned that you might have a mold or mildew problem, it is best to call the professionals for a complete evaluation of your home. Your health is your most important asset, so just like you go see a doctor for a test, your home needs testing as well. VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION: There are some important ways that we can prevent the spread of mold and what you can do to get rid of it. Keep an eye out for hidden leaks: Wet spots on your ceiling, the baseboards or on the floor are a telltale sign of a leaky pipe or roof. Your home's pipes are behind drywall, which can leave a small leak unnoticed. Mold can grow behind those walls and filter into the air through ducts or pipes. At 1st Priority, they can come in and assess the situation before it gets worse. Did you know that many air conditioner systems/ducts are susceptible to mold growth? They often trap moisture, creating a breeding ground for spores. Bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms create a lot of excess heat and humidity, especially here in south Florida – whether it is from a shower, stove or even a dryer, all of these areas should be well ventilated. Education is key to anything – when our health is at stake – knowing that mold spores can lay dormant for years after they are produced and could begin growing again at any time, it is extremely important to know. Because of this, regular cleanings and having 1st Priority Restoration to depend on, will certainly make our lives much easier. Ever wonder why you or your children wake up coughing and sneezing on a regular basis? The CDC may have the answer. According to the CDC, in 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found that there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, coughing, sneezing and wheezing in otherwise healthy people and in individuals susceptible with compromised immune conditions. Mold or mold spores may cause asthma attacks in people who have asthma and are allergic to mold. Even in some nonallergic individuals, mold can cause sym-ptoms of irritation in the eyes, skin and airways. For example, the "black mold" Stachybotrys, along with some other types of mold, produce toxins known as mycotoxins that can cause irritation of the skin and airways in susceptible individuals. Some-times, people may develop se-vere reactions to mold exposure, but cleaning and sanitizing by professionals you can trust, can help mitigate the health issues. EXPERIENCE IS EVERYTHING: With decades in the business, 1st Priority Restoration is a reputable company with over 20 employees that are licensed and insured. They have been doing all types of cleaning, sanitizing, leak/mold detection and water damage restoration for more than a decade. "We use the most efficient cleaning and water removal equipment to make sure that our customers are satisfied with the job we do for them. We try to use nontoxic (Green) safe chemicals for all mildew treatments. In all of the years that we have been helping our customers with water damage, they have always been pleased with the work that we do and we have never received a single complaint, that speaks volumes!” YEAR ROUND SERVICE: If you have lived in south Florida for any period of time, you already know that the weather is ever changing, for that reason, the rainy season can happen at any time. It doesn’t have to be a tropical system to cause flooding and everything that goes along with it, a leak or burst pipe can happen at any time of year, 1st Priority Restoration is available to help get your home back to a healthy environment for you and your family. What continues to separate them from anyone else is that they can take care of all of your water damage problems - as well as conducting leak and mold detections, working with your insurance company and your adjuster. By calling 1st Priority Restoration, you are getting a business that understands it all and is ready to spring into action 12 months a year. From ceiling repair, drywall replacement, structural damage, roof leaks, floor repair, furniture cleaning, mold removal and treatments, they have it all covered. CUSTOMERS ARE ALWAYS SATISFIED: "If a customer calls and is not satisfied with any of the work, the crew will return promptly to your property and will meet your expectations. We strive to make our customers 100% satisfied." Proud member of the Better Business Bureau. $25 OFF MOLD TESTING! 1st Priority Restoration 1-800-617-1112 Closed Saturday & Jewish Holidays. < Previous News Next News >